Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has declared that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side can compete with Liverpool for the Premier League title - if they improve their home form.
United have suffered league defeats at Old Trafford to Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Arsenal this term, winning just one home game before facing Leeds this afternoon.
However, their away form has carried them through the first half of the campaign, winning their last six on the road and standing eight points behind Liverpool prior to the match at Old Trafford.
Should Solskjaer's side improve their form at home, Keane has boldly suggested that they can compete with the defending champions for the title.
“If they can get their home form in order because their away form is absolutely fantastic, then they have to consider themselves challengers to Liverpool," he told Sky Sports.
"A month or two ago, I didn’t think that and I still have huge doubts about them. Obviously Ole mentioned the other day that they should consider themselves challengers to Liverpool, and I like to hear that, it’s Man United after all. The way the table is and the way the league is panning out is bizarre. If United can get their home form in order, then they should rightly be thinking, ‘yeah, we can challenge Liverpool’.”
United's form at home has been a significant problem this season and Keane added that he could not identify exactly why it has proven to be an issue.
He added: " It’s bizarre, it’s been so bad. It’s been a struggle to score a goal, away from home they’re fantastic. Teams are coming to Old Trafford and the fear factor has certainly gone, so teams are being a bit braver. I’m still shocked and surprised how poor it’s been and the lack of goals they’ve been scoring."
